Cueto gets Opening Day nod for Giants

SURPRISE, Ariz.—Johnny Cueto’s admirable career performance overshadowed his more recent spring efforts, in the mind of Giants manager Gabe Kapler, who selected the right-hander to start the March 26 season opener against the Dodgers at Los Angeles.

This will be Cueto’s first Opening Day start with the Giants. He started four consecutive openers for Cincinnati from 2012-15, compiling a record of 1­-1 with a 0.64 ERA in those games. He’s 7-9 with a 3.53 ERA in 20 lifetime starts against Los Angeles, including 4-5, 2.36 in 10 starts at Dodger Stadium.

Cueto was outstanding in 2016, his first season with the Giants, finishing 18-5 with a 2.79 ERA in 32 starts. Since then, injuries have plagued him, including blisters, a sprained left ankle and elbow issues that led to Tommy John surgery on Aug. 2, 2018. These ailments and the surgery limited him to 13 appearances with the Giants from 2018-19.

Cueto owns a 12.79 ERA in three Cactus League outings this spring. Kapler cared about none of that.